THE new chief constable for Humberside Police has said the force faces significant financial challenges.

Justine Curran, who took up the £139,119 post earlier this month, said she was confident officers would continue to deliver but said tough decisions would have to be made to make further savings of up to £30 million.

She has taken over at Humberside Police – which covers East Yorkshire including Pocklington, Beverley and Goole – after leading Tayside police forces in Scotland for four years.

Ms Curran said the police would be working more closely with other public services, said: “The force is in a good, solid position, we have good crime reduction – 34 per cent over five years. We are really having to look at the financial side of things. It’s a significant challenge, but necessity is the mother of invention.

“I’m a bit of a believer. I want to make a difference and I’m committed to policing but I know I have got to make these savings. I don’t underestimate that it’s a significant challenge.”

Ms Curran, who was appointed by Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove, replaces Tim Hollis, who retired after eight years in charge of the Humberside force.

She said she was keen to make more use of social networking to stay in contact with the public and is especially keen to tackle antisocial behaviour.

The Sheffield-born officer started her career with Greater Manchester Police, becoming chief inspector in Manchester city centre before moving to Merseyside Police as Superintendent.

She was in charge of the Operational Support Unit for Merseyside and became the operations superintendent in Toxteth.

In 2003 she returned to Greater Manchester Police as divisional commander for North Manchester and then assistant chief constable for Greater Manchester Police in 2007. She later also took on responsibility for the Counter Terrorist Unit. Ms Curran was appointed Chief Constable for Tayside in August 2009, having previously served as Deputy Chief Constable.